Who Should I Pickup for Fantasy Football Week 3? Kenneth Gainwell, Kyle Monangai, DJ Giddens, Tyler Allgeier, Dyami Brown, Najee Harris, Jayden Higgins, Calvin Austin, Hunter Renfrow, Isaiah Likely

Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

While Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell outsnapped teammate Jaylen Warren in Week 1 (30 to 25), the roles reversed in Week 2 with the latter leading the duo 36 to 26. Despite less time on the field, the 26-year-old picked up five targets -- again besting his backfield mate in that category.

Warren still out-gained him in totality -- and handily, 134-36 -- but there's still a lot to like about his usage. For starters, the Steelers are throwing the ball at one of the league's highest rates (63.7%), and Gainwell still holds the edge over rookie Kaleb Johnson in the pecking order. Johnson should take over in due time, but while he's still adjusting to the pros, Gainwell carries value as the handcuff to own.

Kyle Monangai, RB, Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai logged seven carries for 28 yards and added one catch for eight yards in the team's 52-21 loss to the Detroit Lions. More importantly, Monangai appeared to leapfrog Roschon Johnson in the backfield rotation, playing 41% of the snaps while Johnson saw zero offensive snaps.

Most of Monangai's work came in garbage time with quarterback Tyson Bagent, but head coach Ben Johnson singled him out as one of three players who impressed in the loss. There's even speculation that Monangai could start carving into D'Andre Swift's workload as the season progresses.

For now, Monangai looks locked in as Chicago's RB2 and should be stashed in deeper formats. If his role continues to grow, he could emerge as a fantasy sleeper with contingent upside.

Dyami Brown, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter had a tough time getting anything going in the Week 2 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, but Parker Washington and Dyami Brown stepped up for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Washington led the team with 76 receiving yards, but Brown had a team-best 12 targets and also tied Washington with five receptions.

The 25-year-old finished with 57 yards and scored for the first time this season. Thomas and Hunter are going to be Lawrence's primary targets most weeks, but it's notable that Brown has topped 50 receiving yards in each of the first two weeks of the 2025 season.

In new head coach Liam Coen's pass-happy offense, Brown could have a consistent role all year, and if anything were to happen to Thomas or Hunter, he could be a weekly flex option in fantasy. Put Brown on your watch list.

Hunter Renfrow, WR, Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Hunter Renfrow found the endzone twice in the team's 27-22 loss on Sunday. With the Panthers going down by 24 points in the second half of Week 2, they were forced to abandon the run and turn to the passing game. Renfrow was a huge part of the comeback, tying for second on the team with nine targets, just one shy of leader Tetairoa McMillan.

Operating as a security blanket for quarterback Bryce Young, Renfrow caught seven passes for 48 yards and two touchdowns. The seven catches and nine targets were encouraging, but even more so was the trust Young showed in Renfrow in the red zone. Although it's hard to say whether he will continue to be a staple in this offense, the lack of wide receiver depth behind McMillan is an encouraging sign.

In Week 3, the Panthers will host the Atlanta Falcons, who just held the Minnesota Vikings to 120 passing yards on Sunday night. In PPR leagues, if you need wide receiver help and have a spot on your bench, it would be wise to add Renfrow. Do not use a waiver on Renfrow, but he would be an excellent free-agent pickup if he goes unclaimed.

Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) was on the practice field for the team's first practice of the week on Thursday, according to Bo Smolka of Press Box. Likely was limited, but it's a good sign that he's making progress after being limited last Friday. The 25-year-old is probably facing an uphill battle to be active on Monday night in Week 3 against the Detroit Lions, but he's getting closer to making his 2025 debut.

If you're not stoked on your TE options in fantasy, Likely is worth a pickup now if he's available in your league's waiver wire. Fellow tight end Mark Andrews has been uncharacteristically quiet in two games with Likely sidelined, catching only two of his four targets for seven yards, with the Ravens scoring over 40 points in both of their games. With Andrews struggling, Likely could certainly take over TE1 duties in Baltimore once he's back to full strength.